Holidays... What To Do?

HI all, well it's my first weekend away from my little ones and I have just realised I have no idea of what to prep before I go to ensure my babies are safe and healthy when I'm back. I'm only away for 2 nights so no biggie but have proper holidays coming soon so I'd like to hear your experiences and how you managed it. My first question is what is best to use for feeding? Those white blocks that dissolve or I buy an automatic dispenser? My fish are a bit of fussy eaters. Only like flakes and pellets, no blood worms or brine shrimp, I've tried and they spat it back out looking at me like what am I giving them?? Lol so I want to make sure what I give them is as close as what they like so I don't leave them starving. And of course I'll give them a water change before I go. Thanks in advance for your help

 

For up to a week, I wouldn't feed them. They will be fine. Longer than that, you need to find someone trustworthy to come and check and feed them, probably every 2-3 days.

Edit: I would not use those white blocks. Auto feeders are also unreliable, unless you buy a really good one.

 

Depends on how long you are away for. They should be ok for a week without feeding. Just feed normally before and start again when you get back.

The blocks tend not to be great and can sometimes dissolve quickly and then cause a build up of ammonia. Same goes for automatic feeders which can fail or dump everything in in one go.

I have left mine a few times for a week without issue (the first time I was a little scared) and when I was away for 10 days I had someone pop round and drop some food into the tank (I had pre-measured to prevent them overfeeding)

 

I was gone for 2 weeks about at Christmas, I just did a late water change the day before and got an automatic feeder ( an eheim brand one) and they just fine for the time I was gone

 

I've successfully left mine for two weeks without feeding - just did a water change the day I left and a water change the day I got home, everybody was fine

 

I wouldn't use the white blocks. I took a look at them the last time I was at petsmart and I had to get to the 3rd or 4 ingredient before it even remotely resembled food

 

Thanks guys... I might invest in a good feeder, I just hate the thought of leaving them without food . But I guess those have risks too if they overfeed... hmmm

 

For two nights they will definitely be okay. I left mine for about 5 days. I don't trust the automatic feeders. The ingredients aren't great and I was afraid of them over eating.

 

They'll be fine going without food for 2 days, you can go up to 1 week before you need to feed. Some people don't recommend auto feeders just in case it malfunctions. If it keeps rotating then you'll end up with a massive ammonia spike.

 

One problem with some automatic feeders is that they are (necessarily) above the water so get humid. Then the flakes inside can clump together meaning bigger doses are dropped in or they clog and don't drop anything.

 

Ok, thank you everyone, food for thought... for this weekend I'll leave them without (I'll have to fight my mummy instinct!) but for when we go away for longer I think I'll invest on a good feeder. Thank you guys